The exploration of the planets figured prominently in the Space Research Institute (IKI) activity. Experimental studies are given priority. They are conducted by methods of optical and infrared spectrometry, photometry and infrared radiometry, mass-specrometry, gas chromatography, and X-ray fluorescent spectrometry.

Meteorological measurements are taken on the surface and in the atmospheres of other planets.

Alongside experimental studies considerable attention is given to the elaboration of theoretical problems, mainly in the field of the simulation of processes in planetary atmospheres, including the early stages of their evolution.